Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science Program in Statistics and Data Science

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science Program in Statistics and Data Science

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Data Science is holistically and fundamentally aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by training professionals to harness the power of data for evidence-based decision-making. The curriculum's philosophy, emphasizing analytical rigor, ethical data handling, and the application of statistical methods to solve complex problems, makes it a powerful enabler for sustainable development across all sectors. The program is a cornerstone of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by providing the data science skills that drive innovation. It is a key driver of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by enhancing productivity through data-driven insights and preparing graduates for high-demand jobs in the digital economy. Furthermore, the curriculum's applications in areas like public health and quality control contribute directly to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). As a core STEM program, it is a flagship of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and is built upon extensive partnerships, embodying the spirit of SDG 17.

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: This program directly supports good health by providing the statistical and data science methods essential for public health research, epidemiology, and clinical trials. Graduates are equipped to analyze health data to identify disease trends, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and contribute to a more efficient healthcare system.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC613401	Biostatistics	Directly supports good health by applying statistical methods to biological and health-related data, which is essential for medical research and public health studies (Target 3.D).
SC613402	Demography	Contributes to well-being by studying human populations, providing the data needed for planning public health services, and understanding mortality and fertility trends (Target 3.8).

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a fundamental science program, the curriculum itself is a vehicle for high-quality education. It is designed to foster quantitative literacy, analytical reasoning, and data-driven problem-solving skills, which are essential competencies for lifelong learning and innovation in the 21st century.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC614891	Seminar	Enhances education for sustainable development by requiring students to research and present on advanced statistical topics, fostering the skills for critical thinking and lifelong learning (Target 4.7).
SC614892	Special Project	Provides quality education by enabling students to conduct independent research, applying statistical methods to solve complex problems and create new knowledge (Target 4.7).
SC000213	Co-operative Education in Science	Increases the number of youths and adults who have relevant skills for employment by providing extensive, hands-on work experience in a professional setting (Target 4.4).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: The program is a direct driver of economic growth by producing graduates with highly sought-after skills in data analysis, a critical component of the modern economy. These skills help businesses improve productivity, manage risk (actuarial science), and make better decisions, leading to sustained economic growth and high-value, decent work.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC613303	Statistical Quality Control	Contributes to higher levels of economic productivity through technological upgrading and innovation by teaching how to improve the quality and efficiency of production processes (Target 8.2).
SC613501	Actuarial Mathematics I	Supports a stable economy by providing the foundational skills for the insurance and financial industries, which are essential for managing economic risk (Target 8.2).
SC613304	Time Series Analysis and Forecasting	Promotes economic productivity by teaching methods to forecast business and economic trends, enabling better planning and resource allocation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally about fostering innovation across all industries. Data science and statistics are the core disciplines that transform raw data into actionable insights, driving research, development, and the creation of new technologies and more efficient industrial processes.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC613302	Experimental Design	Enhances scientific research and innovation by teaching how to design experiments to efficiently test new ideas and technologies in all fields of science and industry (Target 9.5).
SC612204	Programming for Data Science	Upgrades the technological capabilities of all sectors by teaching the programming skills necessary to implement data-driven solutions and innovations (Target 9.5).
SC613305	Data Mining	Fosters innovation by teaching techniques to discover new patterns and knowledge from large datasets, a key component of modern research and development (Target 9.B).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

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Alignment Summary: The program can help reduce inequalities by providing the tools to measure and analyze social and economic disparities. Statistical analysis of demographic and survey data is essential for identifying vulnerable populations and evaluating the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting inclusion and equality.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC613402	Demography	Contributes to reducing inequality by providing the methods to analyze population data, which is essential for designing and evaluating policies aimed at social inclusion (Target 10.2).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to sustainable cities by providing the data science expertise for "smart city" initiatives. The analysis of urban data is crucial for optimizing transportation systems, managing public services, and making cities more efficient, resilient, and responsive to the needs of their residents.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC613304	Time Series Analysis and Forecasting	Can be applied to urban data (e.g., traffic, energy use) to support participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management (Target 11.3).

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum promotes responsible production by providing the tools for quality control and process optimization. Statistical Quality Control is a core methodology for minimizing defects, reducing waste, and making manufacturing processes more efficient and sustainable.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC613303	Statistical Quality Control	Directly contributes to substantially reducing waste generation through the prevention of defects in production processes (Target 12.5).

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to strong institutions by providing the skills for evidence-based policymaking. The ability to collect, analyze, and interpret official statistics is fundamental to creating effective, accountable, and transparent institutions that can make informed decisions in the public interest.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC613403	Official Statistics	Contributes to developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions by teaching the principles and methods behind the official statistics that governments rely on for planning and evaluation (Target 16.6).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its cooperative education and research projects, which create a vital bridge between the university and various industries that rely on data science. This collaboration is essential for applying statistical knowledge to solve real-world problems and achieve the SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC000213	Co-operative Education in Science	Directly encourages and promotes effective public-private and civil society partnerships by immersing students in real-world professional environments, building collaborative experience (Target 17.17).
SC614892	Special Project	Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development by contributing new, publicly accessible scientific knowledge, often in collaboration with industry or other research institutions (Target 17.6).